Platform as a Service, often simply referred to as PaaS, is a category of cloud computing that provides a platform and environment to allow developers to build applications and services over the internet.

PaaS services are hosted in the cloud and accessed by users simply via their web browser.

Software developers, web developers and businesses can all benefit from PaaS:

Software developers can take advantage of a PaaS solution to build an application which they are planning to offer over the internet or software to be sold out of the box.

Web developers can use individual PaaS environments at every stage of the process to develop, test and host their websites.

Businesses can develop their own internal software, particularly to create distinct ring-fenced development and testing environments.

Software as a service (or SaaS) is a way of delivering applications over the Internet—as a service. Instead of installing and maintaining software, you simply access it via the Internet, freeing yourself from complex software and hardware management.

SaaS applications are sometimes called Web-based software, on-demand software, or hosted software. Whatever the name, SaaS applications run on a SaaS provider’s servers. The provider manages access to the application, including security, availability, and performance.